The Cleveland Guardians overcame a late three-run deficit this week to once again find themselves in sole possession of first place in the American League Central.
Winners of just four of their last 13 games, the Guardians aim to add to their slim cushion Friday when they open a three-game series versus the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates.
Cleveland will look to ride the momentum of turning a 5-2 deficit into a 6-5 lead courtesy of a four-run seventh inning in Wednesday’s 7-5 victory over the Kansas City Royals.
Bo Naylor belted a solo homer and Josh Naylor, Will Brennan and rookie Jhonkensy Noel each added an RBI single in the decisive frame to help the Guardians salvage the finale of a four-game series.
“We haven’t looked like ourselves for a while, but that inning, that was us,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said. “Find a way to put up a crooked number, especially with two outs. Two-out hitting has been great for us all year.”
The top of the Guardians’ lineup contributed mightily on Wednesday, with Steven Kwan, Andres Gimenez, Jose Ramirez and Josh Naylor combining to collect seven hits, four RBIs and four runs.
Emmanuel Clase closed the door to convert his 26th straight save opportunity. His 149 saves with Cleveland ties Cody Allen for the all-time franchise lead.
“It’s huge to be able to have that guy in the back end of a game when we’re in certain important situations,” Bo Naylor said, per Cleveland.com. “For me, being able to know that the guy in front of me is doing whatever he can to help us win. That’s the most important thing.”
The Guardians will turn to right-hander Ben Lively (11-8, 3.62 ERA) to start Friday’s game against Pirates left-hander Bailey Falter (6-7, 4.25).
Lively, 32, recorded his first win since Aug. 1 on Saturday after allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits in 6 2/3 innings of a 13-5 victory over the Texas Rangers. He is 0-2 with a 3.38 ERA in three career appearances (two starts) versus Pittsburgh.
Falter, 27, was fortunate to walk away with a no-decision in his last trip to the mound. He permitted five runs on six hits in five innings against the Cincinnati Reds. Falter has yet to face the Guardians in his career.
The Pirates have been extremely generous of late. They surrendered 41 runs during their three-game losing skid and 54 runs over their last five games (1-4).
Pittsburgh saw a seven-run lead evaporate Wednesday as the Chicago Cubs completed a three-game sweep with a 14-10 decision.
“It’s frustrating,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “It’s about as frustrated as I’ve been. We’ve got to execute. You cannot have a 10-3 game in the seventh inning and give up 11 runs. We’ve got to be better.”
Bryan Reynolds and Connor Joe each homered and joined Rowdy Tellez in collecting three hits on Wednesday.
“I think we need to play a complete game,” Joe said, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “… When we’re not scoring runs, (we) try to press too much at the plate. On the mound, just not letting pitches compile and that sort of stuff. Stop putting a lot of pressure on ourselves and get back to competing, pitch to pitch.”
Pittsburgh outfielder Oneil Cruz carries a nine-game hitting streak and 20-game on-base run into Friday’s game.
–Field Level Media